Neighborhood association looks to future, too

Maureen Pogorzelski

At the beginning of a new year, it is typical to reflect on the past and resolve to make changes in the upcoming year. This method usually deals with one year at a time, and while that is a realistic personal goal, organizations often plan many years ahead.

In the autumn of 2005, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point initiated a campus master plan at the direction of the chancellor. This plan contains ideas UWSP would like to implement during a course of 25 to 30 years.

Some of the changes won't have a direct bearing on the Old Main Neighborhood Association, or OMNA, neighborhoods, such as sustainability and an increased emphasis on wellness. The need for new academic and administrative buildings will directly influence the look of the OMNA neighborhood.

An indirect impact might come about when current parking lots are used as the site for new buildings as reported recently in the campus newspaper. If all goes according to plan, a new chemistry and biology building will be built in 2015 on the current parking lot just north of St. Stanislaus church. It is a large metered lot that is used not only by students who commute to school but by those attending a variety of events at the university. The university hasn't yet settled on a plan about how to deal with the displacement of 342 metered spots and the revenue they create.

According to the Master Plan report, it is suggested that the parking lot across from the Fine Arts building be replaced with either an academic building or a combination of academic and commercial spaces. The university has been buying the houses that back up to this parking lot, so it seems the intention is to use the whole block.

The university isn't alone in looking to the future. Currently, the city is looking at the existing zoning laws to determine if changes are warranted and if so, what they should be. The city leaders have ideas of how the city should grow.

At the last OMNA meeting, members were discussing the university's plan and then wondered what the city had planned for our area. What is the city's plan for our area during the next 25 to 30 years? Does it mesh with the university's plan? One member then asked the rest of us, what is our vision for the OMNA neighborhood over the same time period? What would we like to see?

OMNA members responded with the desire that our neighborhood be a clean and safe living environment. We would like to represent our neighborhood's position to the appropriate authorities on issues impacting our geographical boundaries. We want a neighborhood that helps shape projects, starts traditions and makes a difference.

We'd like to be informed on what is going on at UWSP, as neighbors, that affects the welfare of us all - students, landlords and homeowners/families. OMNA members would like to see the return to a diverse family neighborhood that includes students and renters and regains the loss of its owner-occupied homes for a more balanced population.

In the interest of property values, we would like to see rental properties blend seamlessly with the owner-occupied homes. In this way, both homeowners and landlords can protect the value of our investments in these homes.

One member put it best, "I'd like someone to drive around our area and not be able to pick out the rental properties."

It is OMNA's hope that the university and the city can share our vision and help us to accomplish our long term goals.

Maureen Pogorzelski writes a monthly column on behalf of the Old Main Neighborhood Association.

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Neighborhood association looks to future, too

At the beginning of a new year, it is typical to reflect on the past and resolve to make changes in the upcoming year.

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